Sinusitis

By Sujatha Rajagopal

Do you or your child suffer from this stuffy condition? Find out why.

A childhood friend once told me she would give up a million dollars to be completely free of sinusitis. Before you think her crazy, consider that the condition has made her miss a major school exam, a job interview and still continues to plague her well into her thirties. Worse, it looks like her children are susceptible to sinusitis too.

Most people who have sinusitis aren’t troubled by it to the extent my friend is. But once in a while, a sinus attack can get ugly. Understanding it better will help you address your or your child’s attacks more effectively.

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is what doctors call an inflammation of the sinuses. It can affect anyone, even newborn babies. Increased risk of sinusitis tends to run in families.

What are sinuses?

The sinuses are pockets of air within facial bones. They are located in the forehead near the eyebrows (frontal sinuses), between the eyes (ethmoid sinuses), inside cheekbones (maxillary sinuses) and behind the nose (sphenoid sinuses). In a healthy person, sinuses are filled with air, helping our facial bones to feel lighter. The sinuses also play a part in how our voice sounds.

What causes sinusitis?

It is usually caused by a viral infection, such as when you have a cold or the flu. The nasal congestion may block the natural drainage of the sinuses, causing a feeling of stuffiness and pain in your facial bones.

Sometimes, the congestion may cause bacteria to be trapped in your sinuses, leading to bacterial sinusitis. Bacterial sinusitis can make you feel worse than viral sinusitis because it can be more painful and lead to high fever.

Sinusitis may also be caused by an allergic reaction. For people who are very prone to sinusitis, swimming, smoking or sudden changes in air temperature may also lead to an attack.

What are some of the signs and symptoms?

With viral sinusitis, the symptoms are very similar to that of a cold, such as stuffy nose, facial bone pain, a cough and general tiredness. These symptoms may last up to 10 days.

With bacterial sinusitis, you might expect:

• A stuffy nose
• Thick nasal discharge (yellowish mucus)
• A cough that lasts one or more weeks–sometimes leading to coughing fits
• Headaches, especially when waking up or bending forward
• Dull facial pain, near the forehead, cheekbones and teeth
• Swollen-looking eyes
• Persistent bad breath
• Difficulty going to sleep and staying asleep
• Sometimes, fever of more than 38 degrees Celsius.

These symptoms may continue to worsen even after 10 days. Some sinusitis attacks may even last for months! Consult your doctor immediately if yellow mucus, a lot of discomfort or fever is present.

How is sinusitis treated?

After confirming the cause, your doctor may do the following:

• For viral sinusitis, he or she may prescribe the usual cold or flu medications.
• For bacterial sinusitis, you may be given antibiotics and fever medicine if fever is present.
• For allergy-induced sinusitis, you may be given an antihistamine.
• Your doctor may prescribe a decongestant or nasal spray to clear your nose and sinuses.

Follow all prescription instructions carefully when taking the medication. If antibiotics are given, complete the entire course so that all of the bacteria can be killed.

You can use a warm compress (such as a soft towel soaked in warm water) on the face and eyes to ease the discomfort.

How do I lower my family’s risk of sinusitis?

The following lifestyle changes can help:

1. Wash hands frequently to minimise risk of colds and other respiratory infections.
2. If you have allergies, avoid all triggers as much as possible.
3. Service your air-conditioning units frequently to prevent dust build-up.
4. Keep your home as mold and dust-free as possible.
5. Use a humidifier or other helpful gadgets to freshen the air you breathe (clean the gadgets frequently because they can collect dust too).
6. Drink lots of healthy fluids.
7. Get plenty of rest.
8. Studies prove that eating a balanced, wholesome diet and getting enough exercise strengthens immunity against allergies and infections.

Can sinusitis be life-threatening or require surgery?

Cases of sinusitis-induced bone infection (osteomyelitis) and meningitis (infection of fluid around the brain and spinal cord) have been reported but these are very rare. In extreme cases of sinusitis, your doctor may suggest endoscopic sinus surgery or an adenoidectomy.

In most cases, sinusitis is a mild, manageable condition. Be sure to keep a close watch over the situation to ensure that you/ your child are not getting worse. When treated promptly, you should be able to keep the attacks quickly and easily under control.

This information is for educational purposes only. For more specific medical advice, diagnosis and treatment, we strongly suggest that you consult your doctor. If possible, review this information with your doctor before use.

Key sources:
http://www.childrensdmc.org/Default.aspx?id=197&sid=1
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/infections/bacterial_viral/sinusitis.html
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/infections/cold-flu/686.printerview.html